Horse rider's leg sliced off

BRAD Short's bravery after his leg was sliced off at the knee in a freak Easter horse riding accident has amazed paramedics.

The Rockhampton man lost his leg when the horse he was riding was spooked and galloped into a barb-wire fence ? the impact cut off the limb cleanly at the knee.

A family friend said doctors at the Royal Brisbane Hospital were unable yesterday to reattach the 22-year-old's limb.

RACQ Capricorn Helicopter Rescue Service aircrew officer David Mountain said Mr Short's stoic heroism after the accident, which occurred at a property near Dingo, about 100km west of Rockhampton, on Sunday afternoon, was remarkable.

"He would have been in extreme pain, but was not showing this,'' Mr Mountain said.

"He was talking, not shouting, and was quite calm.''

The helicopter service made a mercy dash to Brisbane after coordinating specialists to try and re-attach the limb. They arrived at 9.15pm. ? Mr Mountain said the detached section of leg was placed in an ice-filled container shortly after the accident.

The damaged leg was bandaged at the stump. "It was pretty horrific and sad to see such a young guy, obviously in the prime of his life and happy, involved in an accident like this.''

Mr Short, who works as a tree lopper, was spending Easter with friends at the property.

He is well known in the Dingo community, having spent the early years of his life in the area.

He moved with his family to Proserpine for a few years where he completed his schooling before returning to Rockhampton with his mother and sister about four years ago.

Friends yesterday said you could not wish to meet a nicer bloke.

"He is so easy-going,'' a friend said. "Nothing seems to upset him.

"He's the kind of guy who is always in good spirits and would do anything for you.

"Brad has many friends out here at Dingo. People have really pulled together in the community to help.''

Hospital staff said Mr Short was in a stable condition late yesterday.